At Harvard and MIT, The Genius meets the geniuses
GZA — a.k.a. “The Genius,’’ a.k.a. Gary Grice, founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan — was in town this week to lecture at the Harvard University Black Men’s Forum.
T shutdown hurts area businesses
As the official holiday shopping period kicks into full gear, businesses in Somerville and Cambridge have lost a major artery every weekend — the Red Line.
With a new imam, a new outlook
William Suhaib Webb, who was raised a Christian, is the new spiritual leader of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center, the biggest mosque in New England.
Political Notebook
Cain says he will make major announcement today
Herman Cain sent mixed signals yesterday on whether he would abandon his beleaguered White House bid after a woman’s allegation of an extramarital affair.
John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
Kraft-Wynn casino deal could reshuffle the gaming market
The emergence of a likely partnership between New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Las Vegas gambling mogul Steve Wynn has shaken up the competition for a coveted casino license.
Mogul has golden touch, and deep pockets
Known as the savior of Las Vegas, developer Steve Wynn is preparing his vision for Massachusetts.
“If we’re able to function together to some degree, then we become like a Muslim ‘Cheers.’”
William Suhaib Webb, imam of the Islamic Society of Boston Cultural Center
Inside The Boston Globe
Columnists
Metro
‘Perfect Storm’ debris floated to Ireland
Richard Figueiredo lost all of his lobster traps in the “perfect storm’’ of 1991. Remnants have appeared on local beaches over the years, but never very far from their origin — until now.
Business
Big rise in online purchases made with smaller devices
From Thanksgiving eve to Cyber Monday and throughout this week, more shoppers than ever have been snatching up bargains with their smartphones and tablets.
Politics
Republicans split over payroll tax cut extension
Speaker John A. Boehner has told Republicans they would run political risks and could be accused of allowing a tax increase if they block the continuation of payroll tax relief.
Nation & World
Clinton pays visit to home of Suu Kyi
Hillary Rodham Clinton visited the home of Aung San Suu Kyi yesterday and discussed the sudden signs of reform in Myanmar.
Sports
Valentine hits road to recruit Ortiz
Installed as manager of the Sox on Thursday afternoon, Bobby Valentine was on the go less than 24 hours later to visit David Ortiz and help support his charity golf event.
Arts
Art Review
Chicken Little as a 9/11 metaphor
Artist Nancy Chunn’s “Chicken Little and the Culture of Fear” springs from her post-Sept. 11 examination of the aura of panic that has dominated the last decade.
Opinion
“Faith versus facts, ideology versus pragmatism, the 2012 election could offer the ultimate verdict on the 1980s.”
Peter S. Canellos
Ideas
With quantum computing, today’s researchers are trying to perform a sort of jujitsu.
Joshua Rothman